Chapter 33: The Distance Between Two People
Three days have passed, and the bruise on my face is still dark. Tomorrow, Aoi's suspension will be over.
We need to naturally welcome Aoi back and show everyone that there are no hard feelings. Otherwise, Aoi might even end up being bullied.
(But he's super strong, so he'll probably be fine, right?)
'Tachibana-kun! Look over here!'
As for me, these past three days after school, I've been getting treatment for the bruise on my face from Kashii-san in the nurse's office.
Preparations for the sports festival are finally in full swing, with cheer practice, making huge panels, and crafting decorative artificial flowers—everyone's super busy, but since I'm injured, I'm exempt from club activities and other tasks, though I can still make artificial flowers, so that's all I'm doing.
Should I take up making artificial flowers as a side job?
'That's enough already.'
'No way! It's still so swollen!'
Since the area I was hit is still swollen, she cools it down first, then carefully applies ointment to the affected area with her fingers. By the way, once the swelling goes down, warming it up apparently helps it heal better. It's been three days, and the swelling hasn't gone down at all...
Since the bullying issue was resolved, Kashii-san has thanked me multiple times, offering to make me a bento as a thank you, or suggesting we go somewhere together to hang out—her sense of personal space is kind of off.
Of course, there's no guy who wouldn't be happy to hear such things from the girl he likes... but Kashii-san, you should stop because a guy might get the wrong idea.
Since she told me today again to say anything I want, I decided to tell her what I've been thinking about.
The orange light of dusk fills the nurse's office... huh, didn't this happen before?
With the sports festival getting closer, there's a festive mood.
The school is still buzzing with noise.
'Kashii-san, um...'
'Sure! That's fine!'
'I haven't even said anything yet!'
'Huh?'
'I have a request for Kashii-san...'
'Sure! That's fine!'
Her sense of boundaries is really off, huh? Well, if she's okay with it, I guess there's no problem.
Kashii-san looks super cute glancing up at me like that. Since she's applying the ointment, we're so close that I can't look her in the eye!
'Kashii-san, I want you to keep your distance from me. If possible, I'd like you to treat me more strictly.'
'Huh? I don't quite understand what you're saying.'
'That's the line I often use from Sandwich Man!'
I couldn't help but interject for the first time in a while.
Kashii-san's eyes welled up with tears as she started to get angry.
'Why! Why would you say something like that!?'
Since the incident with Aoi, I've been getting a lot of attention.
My reputation still hasn't settled.
Some say Tachibana resolved the bullying issue. Others say he beat Aoi using dirty tricks and forced him to confess. Some say he's actually the mastermind. Others say a quiet, short-tempered guy like Tachibana is the scariest.
Generally, my reputation seems to go in the order of dangerous, scary, no friends, strong, and impressive.
(I may not have many friends, but saying I have none is just rude.)
This time, the rumor is that Aoi reformed thanks to Kashii-san's heartfelt lecture and Tachibana's physical language.
Since it's Kashii-san with her loving approach versus Tachibana who got into a fight, naturally, Tachibana's impression is worse, and rumors are spreading that I'm a super dangerous guy, and some scary senpais even come to see me during lunch break!
Most people know I don't have any noteworthy physical abilities aside from endurance running.
(Among my year, the senpais stand out in physical tests due to their club activities and such.)
So, it's obviously strange that someone like Tachibana could win a fight against Aoi (two wins, no less).
People are apparently saying I must have done something underhanded.
Sure, fighting right after an endurance run was a handicap match, but still.
If a guy like me is seen by Kashii-san's side, bad rumors will follow her too, and just being near her makes me stand out, plus being friendly with her might make others jealous.
On top of that, if we're too friendly, the public lecture (which was a setup) from the other day might get exposed, causing a huge scandal, lowering Kashii-san's support, and creating chaos in the class again.
So, I told her we should keep our distance and try not to get involved with each other too much.
'No way!'
'But that's what's best for Kashii-san and for everyone!'
She's unusually stubborn about this.
'What about "say anything"...?'
Anyway, for the sake of Aoi, who's coming back, I told her that Aoi and I should act like we've reflected on our actions under Kashii-san's guidance, accept our penalties, and Kashii-san should maintain a fair stance, dealing firmly with bad behavior, or else bullying or something similar might resurface in a different form.
Sure, Aoi was wrong for bullying, but to honor the courage and guts he showed by confessing and apologizing in front of everyone, I asked her once more to treat me with a firm attitude as well.
If we're half-hearted, Aoi might end up being ostracized or bullied again!
'Please, Kashii-san, I'm begging you.'
Kashii-san is kind to everyone, so I fully understand she doesn't like being strict with people. It's probably an unpleasant role for her.
Even so, I told her it's for Aoi's sake and for her own sake, bowed my head, and pleaded with her.